2.3.16 :: Black Scale, OVO, Nice Kicks

OVO x Jordan Brand – Didn’t think I wanted a little owl next the the Jumpman, but October’s Very Own’s (OVO) latest apparel collection with Jordan brand is looking legit. Drake’s Toronto brand has added to their budding line of Retro sneakers with an impressive selection of sportswear. The graphic T-shirts keeps things simple, while the sweatsuit shows off Drake’s softer side by skipping fleece and opting for velour. Finishing off the collection is a co-branded duffel with the Jordan Wings and OVO logo in metallic gold. Expect the collection to next to the lotion and candles aisle at Kohl’s. Just joking, its going to be stupid limited and sell out dumb quick.

Black Scale x A Bathing Ape – Black Scale lands one of the most coveted collaborations as the Bay area band teams up with Japan’s A Bathing Ape (BAPE) for a Spring 2016 capsule collection. Many of the familiar silhouettes and themes found in BAPE’s robust archival of goods will be used for the five-item collection. From the popular full-zip Shark Hoodie to graphic T-shirts and long-sleeves, the Black Scale logo is situated proudly next to BAPE iconography. The collection will see a worldwide release, and is set to launch February 20.

Carhartt WIP Spring/Summer 2016 – Workwear’s handsome and more contemporary cousin, Carhartt WIP, is set to add sportswear into their Spring and Summer collection. The collection stays true to streetwear sensibilities and re-works traditional work aesthetics with a dose of varsity sports. From a heavy-duty canvas coach’s jackets to an array of denim options, the collection also incorporates inspiration from Detroit. The collection will also include an expanded accessories line that will add sunglasses, Wallabee boots, and a folding chair.

Nice Kicks x adidas – With their presence on the web, Nice Kicks is best known for being on the sidelines and reporting the news, but this latest project is a bit different. Nice Kick has a few retail locations in the US and this one celebrates the San Francisco store on Haight with a hippie-inspired NMD. The performance runner arrives with a tie-dyed knit upper in a polarizing red and black. The comfortable Boost sole is offered in off white, and Nice Kicks branding is subtly located on the tongue and heel tab. Look for the exclusive NMD runner to release this weekend, February 6.

Outlier Ultrahigh Backpack – Outlier is always looking to push technical boundaries and this time, they managed to improve on their ultra light backpack. The new Ultrahigh Backpack is made up of a Dyneema Composite material that allows the piece to be durable and lightweight, while being highly compressible. The bag can easily be rolled up and stowed in a suitcase or duffle. This convenient feature means it lacks structure for heavier loads, but is perfect for those in a crunch.

Sony A6300 – Sony announces the successor to the wildly successful A6000 from 2014, and it’s pretty awesome. As a Sony user (A6000, RX100, RX100 Mark 3) I am thrilled to see what is in store for the A6300. The first thing that jumps out is that 4K video recording comes in at a whopping 1000 bitrate. That’s fast enough for super slow motion, and the fastest auto-focus in the digital camera industry has gotten faster. Auto-Focus is a thousandth of a second, and there are even more focus points. However, what is noticeably missing is a touch screen. Sony’s user interface has always been a complaint of the users, and this was one area that the brand missed an opportunity to update. This isn’t any reason to skip the A6300, but it is sufficient enough for me to not upgrade.

SPECTUSSHOECO Deck Shoe – The deck sneaker has been an essential part of any respectable menswear collection, and Japan’s SPECTUSSHOECO is looking to spice it up with some premium upgrades. Instead of the simple and traditional canvas uppers, this version uses a water-resistant and ultra durable Cordura. The Deck shoes also feature soft leather lining, padding in the ankle and tongue, and a thick vulcanized rubber sole. The sneakers are entirely made in Japan and will be available in a monochromatic grey, black, and black with white soles.

Casio Smart Outdoor Watch – It looks like Casio is finally jumping in the smartwatch market with their new Outdoor line. The makers of the popular G-Shock lines opens up to new technology with a line geared for the outdoor enthusiasts. The Smart Outdoor has activity tracking functions along with a compass, altitude and atmosphere pressure measuring, and a tide graph. Noticeably missing is a heart rate monitor and a standalone GPS, but the watch does features 50-meter water resistance and its dual-layer display structure makes it rugged enough to be compliant for a rigorous Military Standard.